“I Will Be With You” (Gen 31:1-35)

Now Jacob heard the words of Laban’s sons, saying, "Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s, and from what was our father’s he has acquired all this wealth." And Jacob saw the countenance of Laban, and indeed it was not favorable toward him as before. Then the LORD said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you." (vs1-3)

The Lord Jesus Christ shall have all the Father gave Him. He deserves it. He has served God, honored the law, conquered death, and done all faithfully. It doesn't matter the opposition; God is with Him.

In this life, it only matters that we are just, doing God's will. Jacob said, “I see your father's countenance, that it is not favorable toward me as before; but the God of my father has been with me. And you know that with all my might I have served your father. Yet your father has deceived me and changed my wages ten times, but God did not allow him to hurt me... So God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me” (vs5-9). We don't have to worry about anything but obedience, doing God's will from the heart, knowing that He will exalt the righteous, even as He exalted our Redeemer, King Jesus. Justice is on our side, and God has the power to shut Satan's mouth and stop unrighteousness from doing us harm. Laban himself said, “It is in my power to do you harm, but the God of your father spoke to me last night, saying, Be careful that you speak to Jacob neither good nor bad”, so that Satan and every unjust plan is bound to failure and cannot do more than God allows (vs22-30).

If we are faithful, we are sure of reward and need not fear. God told Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers and to your family, and I will be with you”, even forgiving us of all sins (vs3).

Rachel, Jacob's wife, had stolen her father's gods, proving the weakness of sinful flesh, that we are sinners still. Yet, when Laban seeks after his idols, they cannot be found (vs31-35). She has hidden them with wisdom, even as we believe on Christ, confessing Him the reason God will not impute sins, that though we are guilty, it is not charged to us (Rom 4:4-6). Christ has paid the full debt, and we go blamelessly free, forgiven, and justified for blessings of strength and victory. We see that His death EARNED the salvation, the mercy, that we justly receive. He has a right to save.

Finally, do not fear opposition. God is with the righteous, and if you believe on Jesus Christ, then you are righteous and your path of obedience is blessed.

“Fear Them Not” (Numb 14:6-9)

“If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Only rebel not you against the Lord, neither fear you the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them and the Lord is with us: fear them not (vs8-9).”

Your enemy is strong, but DON’T be afraid: God is with you, the Almighty of the Galaxy who controls all things is on your side, not BECAUSE you’re able or worthy, but because of Jesus, grace, and by the power of God; He NEVER asked us to do anything in salvation apart from His strength.  Yet, He says, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable”, those who won’t trust grace, so they live wickedly, “and murderers, whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars“, all who say God won’t save, “shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death”, so that mandatory MIRACULOUS service is OBTAINED, or we are damned (Rev 21:8).

Our problem is when we say that God is UN-gracious and UN-merciful and UN-able, so we can’t be saved, even though we’d like to be. This lie is the promise of liberty that leaves us slaves to sin, saying, “God cannot, so I will sin”. This LIE must be fought vigorously; we must not say, “God can’t, so I won’t”, but we must BELIEVE the GREATNESS of Jesus Christ JUSTIFIES God to show the GREATNESS of His grace and love to sinners, as we are. It is NOT that I must improve or live better; it is “ONLY BELIEVE”; this is counsel for avoiding wrath and overcoming sin; all else must die.